Update for 12-16-06

Well, today is Saturday - one week before Christmas Eve. We are in Palm Desert until tomorrow and we have had a wonderful trip. We've had some relaxing days and some go-go days, but it seems just the right amount of each. Earl and Pat have been with us this week and we have had a great time playing hand and foot (a card game). Unfortunately, the men have soared ahead of us in games won. Last night our daughter Karen and her friend Kelli arrived. They will be with us for the weekend. Kelli was Karen's roommate when they went to Russia as missionaries. It's great (as always) to see Kelli again.
More good news - our grandson Matthew just got the lead in the musical at his middle school. Also it is official now that Kirk, Cassie's husband will be the new pastor at his own church in Somonauk, IL starting in February. This will necessitate a move for them down the road but not right now. We are happy for them and pray for success in this new mission.
I believe we can pray for anything that would be pleasing to God so we are praying for Cassie's dog Molly who may need surgery because of something that may be lodged in her nasal passage. She is only 2 and a very sweet dog.
Back to Joe ( I tend to digress), he is back to his ordinary queasiness after two days of feeling normal but he is not any worse. It doesn't stop him from doing anything and he has been enjoying reading books out here rather than watching television. He is into James Patterson. I just finished reading 90 Minutes in Heaven, a true story written by a pastor who was in a terrible accident. A good read and I thank my high school friend Mary Ann McCollough for giving it to us on this trip. I read it to Joe for several hours as we drove from Arizona to California. What a beautiful vision of heaven he had. We continue to hear of more people who are praying and we are coming up on 5 months since diagnosis and we know the prayers are being heard. Thanks you so much. We watched a tape Earl brought with him yesterday and it had a part in it that Jesus was in the garden asking God to let this cup pass from him but if it was not in God's will then so be it. I realized that that is our prayer for Joe.
Life will get hectic when we get home tomorrow with my surgery Tuesday. I will be in the hospital until Thursday. If it takes us awhile to get back on the blog, please have a beautiful Christmas with lots of family memories and Christmas songs and cherish the time you get to spend with friends and relatives. Our spirits are filled up each day with the grace from your prayers.
God Bless,
Mary Anne